Frank Deford's NPR Tribute to Chuck Thompson

[@Mryrhodesian]

Chuck Thompson & Bill O'donnell. That alone is what made baseball better then, than it is today.

[@drumlover1687]

When your right, your right!

[@bzinman]

I grew up listening to Oriole games on WBAL during those hot summer nights outside with radio blasting away Bill O Donnell and Chuck Thompson were the very best. Just brings back those days during the seventies and eighties. Between 1969-1983 we were fighting to get into the payoffs every single year. then came that long period when they were really bad. 1988-2012. Except for 1996,1997 and 2012 from 1986- 2013 the orioles were never a threat to make the playoffs. from the late 90's to 2011 they were one of the worst teams in baseball. Whether or not they outlast all of their opponents it is so good to see and hear that oriole magic alive again in "Ballamor"

[@reidselby2569]

I'm 58, but I still expect to hear Chuck and Bill O'Donnell calling the games. There was no doubt who they were rooting for. Miss those guys, but hearing them makes me smile.

[@googoo-gjoob]

then Brooks & Jim Palmer... then Jon Miller & Joe Angel.... we were blessed, hon.

[@hbland]

I used to watch him and Brooks Robinson doing Orioles games on TV.

[@BKJJAMALEN]

I am 55 years old and CT was the voice of colts and the orioles.There will never be another like him.

[@jakeford6745]

Mr thompson he was a baltimore special.

[@drumlover1687]

Ahh, the sound of that mans voice still resonates in my head all these decades later! Ain't the beer cold!

[@seau2007]

Well done...saddens me to know many of that era are gone. I recall those voices commentating for the Colts and Orioles. I worked for National Brewing in the early 70's and felt a part of the Birds history. Brooks lived down the street on Pinehurst Rd. Were were just kids and on rare occasions see him coming out of his home. Johnny, Ray, Tom and other Colts visited our church on father & son events. What a town to grow up in including the winning lacrosse teams at Towson High and Hopkins. We were just kids and felt this was just normal life. I wish I could could back and visit those times if just for one day.

[@robertadams5107]

I am now 68 years old and I grew up listening to Chuck Thompson money at night me and my father would sit in the kitchen with a radio and listen to the Oriole games whenever I hear something mentioned about Chuck Thompson I always remember my father baseball radio announcers today really don't know how to describe the game all they do is talk about numbers I really miss listen to Chuck and all the other guys

[@robertrock8778]

I listened to Chuck Thompson, Bill O'Donnell, and Frank Messer. Like Deford I listened to the O's with my AM transistor radio under my pillow. In 1966 a TV was rolled into my St. Pius X classroom to watch the Birds beat the Dodgers. We were in shock that Sr. Elsa, Sr. Veronica Mary, and Sr. Mary Regina allowed this. It was also great to hear Chuck Thompson announce Balmer Coats games. I miss Memorial Stadium, sitting in the centerfield bleachers with all the other Jr. Orioles. And, yes, I still have my Jr. Orioles pin from Gino's. Go, Orioles, Go!

[@ronsmith5573]

Growing up in Charlotte, NC in the 60s, we got the Orioles games on radio and the Colts games on television. Chuck Thompson was THE BEST. "Touchdown Baltimore!" Always music to my ears.

[@Airsoftcleaner]

He and Bill O'Donnell is who I grew up listening to when it came to The O's

[@KX250Frider4]

Chuck Thompson is my great uncle, love and miss him to death. My grandfather's sister Betty Thompson married chuck thompson

[@JohnSmith-op1tc]

There are KZbin videos where Thompson's being enamored by the play of Roberto Clemente in the '71 World Series shines through, in those days where radio PBP men were the partners for Curt Gowdy on NBC television broadcasts. He was skilled and genuine.

[@TheKainen]

Had to try and find "Go To war, Miss Agnes!" as the O's won another today in spectacular fashion. I grew up listening to Mr. Thompson and have heard this phrase in my head several times over the past two days. Oh how I hope he's looking down from sportscaster's heaven and enjoying this ride! GO BIRDS!

[@tomvernon2123]

I remember hearing Chuck Thompson and Bill O'Donnell on the radio very well. They were a great duo and I miss his resonant voice.

[@garyh5574]

I wish I had found this clip earleir. I grew up near Buffalo NY and listened to Bill and Chuck my entire youth. The west coast games were especially difficult because the signal would com in and out - I could miss entire AB's! And I always got busted because I had to adjust the audio up when it faded...my dad always caught me when the signal was strong and loud and I did not turn it down sonn enough (smiling)...what a pleasure it was listening to the "Orioles Baseball" song at the start - wonderful memories :)

[@jimallen2431]

Chuck Thompson was the best. I met him a couple times. Class guy.

[@TGS556]

"It's a GLORIOUS day for baseball"!

[@bbh70002]

Great story about a great broadcasting legend.

[@lkellyrnfne]

Chuck was the best and such a gentleman. He is greatly missed by those who loved him. He signed a Memorial Stadium seat for me. "What are you going to do with that?" He said he never collected but he handed over his series ring for my husband to try on. Such a gentleman....

[@KX250Frider4]

Thank you for this tribute! miss you uncle chuck!

[@franksantore2327]

Gregory Harper your great uncle was a great guy. Up there in Heaven--with Caray, Brickhouse, et al--you can always bet the beer is always cold!

[@keithburkett2234]

Of all the great Colts and Orioles the man I most wished to meet would be Chuck.Think about it .He was always there.He was a constant presence.Maybe one of the most famous persons in Baltimore history. R.I.P. Chuck

[@josephmcfarland8442]

Chuck was second to none, as a football announcer, as well as a baseball announcer.

[@rgladding1]

Regardless of where you grew up NY, Boston, Philly, Baltimore, etc. those of in our fifties and sixties remember the thrill of the "boys of summer", perhaps on a transistor radio as told by one of the greats like Chuck. Go O's

[@capnfabu]

Chuck...we wish you were still with us to see our Birds storm into the play-offs.

[@globalmusiclink2663]

I grew up listening to Chuck Thompson!

[@charlesflinnill978]

I will never forget Chuck's voice.

[@KK-nt9zz]

Here I am remembering Duford, and he's remembering Thompson.

[@raydenenberg7846]

I grew up listening to Chuck Thompson. But not in Baltimore. In Washington, announcing the Senators, in the 50s (and 1960). If they hadn't moved to Minnesota, he'd have never gone to Baltimore.

[@lightbulb1952]

Ernie Harwell was the anouncer for the O's before Chuck Thompson. Go to war, Miss Agnes, I miss CT. He was kind to give me his autograph a year before he died when I met him (buying lottery tickets!) at a local supermarket. Great guy.

[@drumlover1687]

Chuck Thompson, Bill O'Donnell and the coach Charlie Eckman! Now that is my Bawlmore!!! Ain't the beer cold!

[@gregorycampbell4542]

RIP Mr. Deford.

[@bill9133]

i got the pleasure of hearing chuck call oriole and colt games no one did it better

[@springing]

Lovely, thanks

[@mattimatt4838]

Chuck Thompson was the Best!! Give me Chuck Thompson & Bill O'donnell with Rex Barney as public address announcer, and I'm good! "...give that fan a contract"

[@sammyvh11]

I try to not live in the past. I grew up in Baltimore County in the 60s and 70s. The glory days of the Orioles and Baltimore Colts. Its very hard not to want to be there again when I have to listen to some of the losers working for the Orioles today not only in the booth but on the field and front office and of course the worst owner in MLB.

[@fairfaxcat1312]

I couldn’t agree with you more. The corrupt Lord Peter Angeloser family destroyed the classiest organization in sports. Not only did the Orioles have the best winning percentage in baseball from the late ‘50’s to the mid ‘80’s, they rarely made headlines with off-the-field “drama.” Chuck was the greatest, most naturally colorful, baritone neighbor talking to you over the backyard fence, never overconfidently calling “home runs” which he would then have to take back. He would never overly brag about the local Orioles or Colts. He would modestly say something “may” be out-of-play, or “may” be over the wall, or what have you. Angeloser never demonstrated the humility for which Chuck was famous, even letting the great Orioles’ broadcaster Jon Miller get away. Because of Angeloser’s political connections in Annapolis the state of Maryland would corruptly use Angeloser to be the lead attorney in class action lawsuits against businesses, such as tobacco and asbestos manufacturers, which Angeloser would shake down for personal gain. Angeloser even wanted to shake down cell phone companies for allegedly giving people cancer. Angeloser was so petty that he kicked some Ravens’ programming off his MASN TV empire because he insisted on talking to Bischotti himself about a very small amount of money. And everyone knows about Angeloser’s decades’ long endless legal appeals of court rulings in which he was repeatedly ordered to pay the Wash. Nationals TV money Angeloser withheld. He fired Dave Johnson because the manager didn’t like hanging out with Angeloser at Sabbatino’s, falsely claiming that Johnson’s wife was profiting off her charitable work. Angeloser refused to move one Orioles date to allow the World Champion Ravens to play their showcase NFL nationally televised season kickoff game the September after they won their last Super Bowl. He refused to move one meaningless Thursday night Orioles game in a 162 game season against the White Sox, denying the Ravens their big night on the national stage in September 2013.

[@stevefoley4309]

Ain't the beer cold!

[@drumlover1687]

Chuck Thompson and Bill O'Donnell were as good as it gets!

[@pattitube]

Hey Mutlap: It's called professionalism. If you're a radio man, your voice needs to be expressive, subtle and engaging. And yes, they are trained to be that way. However, only a few can truly be captivating.

[@Mutlap]

I always,as a child, had my ear close to radio when listening to the games. Back in the day when a player made 7500 a year. That's correct and they didn't mind taking the time to speak for free. They would shake your hand and sign something for you. Today one needs to make a reservation 2 years in advance with about 100,000 in cash they may take the time to say Hi then!

[@ARIZJOE]

Great commentary, Frank. They did not make them better than Chuck Thompson. Sports are not as fun nowadays.

[@Mutlap]

Very interesting the way this radio station selects the sound and presentations of it's announcers on NPR. The voice is very manipulative in their nature. Not what is said but the tone and rhythm is unique in it's nature. I am very cautious of how and what I listen to on NPR if I listen at all! You notice this presentation across most personalities who speak on NPR. They must be trained to speak this way.

[@christopherjones8517]

Go To war miss Agnes!